300 marchers turn out for LGBT Pride Parade

Robin GeorgeCIty Council speaker Christine Quinn stands with Arnie Kantrowitz, professor emeritus of English at the College of Staten Island and this year's grand marshall of the borough's annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Parade and Festival.

A rainbow weaved through the streets of St. George and Tompkinsville today. ¶

The explosion of red, purple, blue, green, yellow and orange balloons, flags and banners were toted and, in some cases worn by about 300 marchers in Staten Island's fourth annual Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Parade and Festival. ¶

"It's important not to have to hide," said grand marshal Arnie Kantrowitz, professor emeritus of English at the College of Staten Island, Willowbrook. "It affects every corner of your life."

The parade kicked off at about 12:35 p.m. from the municipal parking lot in St. George, with Kantrowitz in the lead, perched on the rear seat of a sleek black Ford Mustang. Marchers ambled up Central Avenue, then down St. Marks Place and briefly onto Bay Street before turning onto Hannah Street and into the Cromwell Recreation Center, for a festival. ¶

Onlookers scattered throughout the parade route cheered, waved flags and shouted encouragement. However, at the corner of St. Marks and Victory Boulevard about a half-dozen opponents wordlessly held placards branding the group sinners. ¶

The negative display only seemed to steel marchers' resolve. They rang cowbells, blew whistles and chanted, "What do we want? Equality! When do we want it? Now!"

In its three previous years, the parade route was off main streets along the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Boardwalk in Ocean Breeze and in Midland Beach. ¶

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn (D-Manhattan), who is openly lesbian, hailed the parade as a "major step forward." ¶

"This proves Staten Island is a great, inclusive borough," she said, before stepping off to march. "I think this year's parade is really exciting."